Illinois Trade Schools: Cost, Completion & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
Trade schools in Illinois: 125 trade and vocational campuses (114 trade schools, 11 community colleges) median net price $12,278 (-13.6% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $34,867 (-0.3% vs U.S.) median completion rate 59.5% employment-outcome proxy 85.0% working & not enrolled at 8 years.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 125 campuses (114 trade schools, 11 community colleges)
- Total enrollment: 209,575 students
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $34,867 (-0.3% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 85.0% (+4.1 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $12,278 (-13.6% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $8,375 (-13.7% vs U.S. $9,699); regional median $9,500. Debt rank: #4 nationally of 52 (lower debt = better rank); #1 in Great Lakes of 5
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 59.5%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 64.9%
- Earnings rank: #27 nationally (higher median 10-yr earnings = better rank)
- Employment-outcome rank: #8 nationally (higher working share = better rank)
- Student debt rank: #4 nationally of 52; #1 in Great Lakes of 5 (lower debt = better rank)
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Full profile payload including top-college lists and peer comparisons.
Overview
Trade schools and vocational programs in Illinois include certificate-focused campuses and community colleges with career and technical education pathways. 125 campuses in this profile (114 trade schools, 11 community colleges), with about 209,575 students enrolled, and median net price near $12,278. Programs span healthcare, skilled trades, manufacturing, and other workforce credentials—tables below compare completion, earnings, and employment outcomes with U.S. and Great Lakes medians.
Illinois vs regional & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois (IL) | — | $12,278 | $8,375 | 59.5% | 209,575 |
| Great Lakes (region median) | — | $14,958 | $9,500 | 61.8% | 660,818 |
| United States | — | $14,215 | $9,699 | 63.3% | 5,490,315 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Illinois vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois (IL) | $34,867 | 85.0% | 64.9% | 10.3% | — | 56.0% | 0.24 |
| United States | $34,984 | 80.9% | 64.9% | 11.1% | — | 50.5% | 0.28 |
Illinois vs peer states (Great Lakes region)
Peer states are other campuses in the same Scorecard region, chosen by similar total enrollment.
| State | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois (IL) | N/A | $12,278 | $8,375 | 59.5% | 209,575 | $34,867 | 85.0% |
| Ohio (OH) | N/A | $14,958 | $9,731 | 71.4% | 139,679 | $37,584 | 84.9% |
| Michigan (MI) | N/A | $17,263 | $9,667 | 61.8% | 134,459 | $30,060 | 83.2% |
| Indiana (IN) | N/A | $19,470 | $9,500 | 66.7% | 105,422 | $29,985 | 82.7% |
| Wisconsin (WI) | N/A | $12,912 | $8,854 | 56.9% | 71,683 | $32,393 | 87.0% |
| United States | N/A | $14,215 | $9,699 | 63.3% | 5,490,315 | $34,984 | 80.9% |
Outcomes by sector in Illinois
Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).
| Sector | Campuses | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working share (8 yr) | Retention | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private for-profit | 62 | $28,378 | 83.4% | 64.9% | 7.5% | — | 46.6% |
| Public | 46 | $38,555 | 86.0% | N/A | 12.9% | — | 59.7% |
Top 10 trade schools in Illinois by completion rate (150% time, certificate programs)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate among trade schools and community colleges in this profile (enrollment ≥ 50). Source: College Scorecard.
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Rank 1, Completion Rate, 100.0%, Capital Area Career Center
Capital Area Career Center
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Rank 2, Completion Rate, 100.0%, Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Peoria
Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Peoria
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Rank 3, Completion Rate, 100.0%, University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology
University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology
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Rank 4, Completion Rate, 96.5%, Universal Spa Training Academy
Universal Spa Training Academy
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Rank 5, Completion Rate, 95.7%, Capri Beauty College
Capri Beauty College
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Rank 6, Completion Rate, 91.4%, Pivot Point Academy
Pivot Point Academy
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Rank 7, Completion Rate, 88.9%, Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Elgin
Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Elgin
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Rank 8, Completion Rate, 87.7%, Rosel School of Cosmetology
Rosel School of Cosmetology
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Rank 9, Completion Rate, 86.2%, Estelle Skin Care and Spa Institute
Estelle Skin Care and Spa Institute
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Rank 10, Completion Rate, 86.2%, Estelle Medical Academy
Estelle Medical Academy
Top 10 trade schools in Illinois by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 95.9%, Capital Area Career Center
Capital Area Career Center
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 93.1%, Verve College
Verve College
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Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 91.5%, MDT College of Health Sciences
MDT College of Health Sciences
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Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 90.6%, Morton College
Morton College
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Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 89.1%, Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NW
Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NW
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Rank 6, Employment Outcome, 89.1%, Ms Roberts Academy of Beauty Culture
Ms Roberts Academy of Beauty Culture
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Rank 7, Employment Outcome, 88.6%, Professional's Choice Hair Design Academy
Professional's Choice Hair Design Academy
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Rank 8, Employment Outcome, 88.4%, Heartland Community College
Heartland Community College
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Rank 9, Employment Outcome, 88.4%, State Career College
State Career College
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Rank 10, Employment Outcome, 88.3%, John Wood Community College
John Wood Community College
Top 10 trade schools in Illinois by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
None
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $56,469, Verve College
Verve College
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Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $50,684, Capital Area Career Center
Capital Area Career Center
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Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $47,320, Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc
Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc
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Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $43,093, ETI School of Skilled Trades
ETI School of Skilled Trades
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Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $42,860, Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago
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Rank 6, Mid-Career Earnings, $42,178, DeVry University-Illinois
DeVry University-Illinois
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Rank 7, Mid-Career Earnings, $40,181, MDT College of Health Sciences
MDT College of Health Sciences
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Rank 8, Mid-Career Earnings, $40,035, William Rainey Harper College
William Rainey Harper College
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Rank 9, Mid-Career Earnings, $39,016, Waubonsee Community College
Waubonsee Community College
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Rank 10, Mid-Career Earnings, $39,007, Elgin Community College
Elgin Community College
Top 10 trade schools in Illinois by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
None
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $57,722, Verve College
Verve College
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $52,841, Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago
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Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $52,777, Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc
Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc
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Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $51,080, Capital Area Career Center
Capital Area Career Center
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Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $47,687, ETI School of Skilled Trades
ETI School of Skilled Trades
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Rank 6, 8-Yr Earnings, $44,949, William Rainey Harper College
William Rainey Harper College
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Rank 7, 8-Yr Earnings, $44,715, MDT College of Health Sciences
MDT College of Health Sciences
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Rank 8, 8-Yr Earnings, $44,144, DeVry University-Illinois
DeVry University-Illinois
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Rank 9, 8-Yr Earnings, $43,284, Oakton College
Oakton College
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Rank 10, 8-Yr Earnings, $43,096, McHenry County College
McHenry County College
Top 10 trade schools in Illinois by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
None
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $55,357, Capital Area Career Center
Capital Area Career Center
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $53,341, Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago
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Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $52,873, Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc
Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc
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Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $52,800, ETI School of Skilled Trades
ETI School of Skilled Trades
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Rank 5, 10-Yr Earnings, $48,071, William Rainey Harper College
William Rainey Harper College
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Rank 6, 10-Yr Earnings, $47,852, Oakton College
Oakton College
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Rank 7, 10-Yr Earnings, $46,909, College of DuPage
College of DuPage
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Rank 8, 10-Yr Earnings, $45,987, DeVry University-Illinois
DeVry University-Illinois
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Rank 9, 10-Yr Earnings, $45,516, Elgin Community College
Elgin Community College
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Rank 10, 10-Yr Earnings, $45,143, McHenry County College
McHenry County College
Top 10 trade schools in Illinois by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year ROI among trade schools and community colleges with enrollment ≥ 50.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $230,872, Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc
Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $225,122, Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $215,871, William Rainey Harper College
William Rainey Harper College
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Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $211,862, ETI School of Skilled Trades
ETI School of Skilled Trades
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Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $209,950, Oakton College
Oakton College
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Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $204,844, Elgin Community College
Elgin Community College
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Rank 7, 10-Yr ROI, $200,558, McHenry County College
McHenry County College
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Rank 8, 10-Yr ROI, $194,367, College of DuPage
College of DuPage
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Rank 9, 10-Yr ROI, $194,088, Moraine Valley Community College
Moraine Valley Community College
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Rank 10, 10-Yr ROI, $193,172, College of Lake County
College of Lake County
Top 10 most affordable trade schools in Illinois (net price)
Lowest median net price among trade schools and community colleges with enrollment ≥ 50.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $1,672, Joliet Junior College
Joliet Junior College
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Rank 2, Net Price, $2,254, Lake Land College
Lake Land College
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Rank 3, Net Price, $2,232, Illinois Valley Community College
Illinois Valley Community College
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Rank 4, Net Price, $4,162, Shawnee Community College
Shawnee Community College
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Rank 5, Net Price, $3,349, Lewis and Clark Community College
Lewis and Clark Community College
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Rank 6, Net Price, $3,415, Spoon River College
Spoon River College
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Rank 7, Net Price, $3,662, Carl Sandburg College
Carl Sandburg College
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Rank 8, Net Price, $4,299, Lincoln Land Community College
Lincoln Land Community College
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Rank 9, Net Price, $3,242, South Suburban College
South Suburban College
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Rank 10, Net Price, $4,665, Kankakee Community College
Kankakee Community College
Student debt: Illinois vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Illinois is $8,375 (-13.7% vs U.S. median $9,699). Regional median: $9,500. Rank: #4 nationally of 52 (lower debt = better rank); #1 in Great Lakes of 5.
Median earnings (10 years out): Illinois vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Illinois center around $34,867 (-0.3% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Illinois vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 85.0% at the median Illinois campus (+4.1 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Median graduate debt is $8,375 (-13.7% below the U.S. median of $9,699, and -11.8% vs the Great Lakes regional median of $9,500). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Student debt rank: #4 nationally of 52 (lower debt = better rank); #1 in Great Lakes of 5 (1 = lowest median debt).
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Illinois are $34,867, about -0.3% vs the U.S. campus median ($34,984).
The median campus reports 85.0% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 80.9% (+4.1 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 64.9% vs a U.S. median of 64.9%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 10.3% (U.S. 11.1%); 3-yr repayment progress 56.0% (U.S. 50.5%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Nationally, Illinois ranks earnings #27 and employment proxy #8 on these outcome medians (1 = best).
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Capital Area Career Center (95.9%), Verve College (93.1%), MDT College of Health Sciences (91.5%), Morton College (90.6%), Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NW (89.1%), Ms Roberts Academy of Beauty Culture (89.1%), Professional's Choice Hair Design Academy (88.6%), Heartland Community College (88.4%), State Career College (88.4%), John Wood Community College (88.3%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within Illinois, sector medians diverge: Private for-profit median 10-yr earnings $28,378 (62 campuses); Public median 10-yr earnings $38,555 (46 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Illinois is 59.5% (national institution average about 63.3%).
FAQ
How much do trade schools cost in Illinois?
Among trade schools and community colleges in Illinois, median net price is $12,278 vs $14,215 nationally (-13.6% vs U.S.).
What is typical student debt at Illinois trade schools?
Median federal loan debt among completers at trade and vocational campuses in Illinois is $8,375 vs a U.S. median of $9,699 (Illinois ranks #4 nationally for median debt among states.)
What do trade school graduates earn in Illinois?
Median earnings 10 years after entry for Illinois trade schools and community colleges reporting to the College Scorecard is $34,867 vs $34,984 nationally. Six-year medians are $29,483.
What share of Illinois trade school students are working after completion?
The federal employment-outcome proxy on this site (8-year cohort working and not enrolled) has a median of 85.0% in Illinois vs 80.9% nationally.
How many trade schools are in Illinois?
This profile covers 114 trade schools and 11 community colleges (125 total) in Illinois with roughly 209,575 total reported enrollment.
How many public vs. private trade schools are in Illinois?
Among trade schools and community colleges with outcomes in the College Scorecard extract: 46 public, 0 private nonprofit, and 62 private for-profit institutions.
What are the top trade schools in Illinois?
Rankings on this page use College Scorecard medians for trade schools and community colleges; standouts include highest completion rate: Capital Area Career Center; highest 10-year earnings: Capital Area Career Center; lowest net price among large campuses: Joliet Junior College. See the ranked lists below for full details.
Are there Hispanic-serving or other designated trade schools in Illinois?
Among 237 campuses in Illinois, 75 campuses with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard demographics—a common Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) eligibility proxy; examples include Aurora University, Cannella School of Hair Design-Villa Park, and Cannella School of Hair Design-Chicago; 39 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Roman Catholic (13), Presbyterian Church (USA) (4), United Methodist (3).
How does Illinois compare to its Census region for trade schools?
Illinois is in the Great Lakes region. Regional median net price is $14,958 and median 10-year earnings are $34,694 vs $12,278 net price and $34,867 earnings in Illinois.
Sources & related
- All trade school profiles
- Illinois college profile
- Trade school costs by state
- Trade schools and public community colleges (College Scorecard)
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
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